It’s hard to steal the spotlight from Week 1 in the NFL in general, considering football is king in this country.  It’s even harder when there’s a fantastic finish like the Broncos miracle against the Bengals.  It’s harder still when marquee players like Donovan McNabb and Brian Urlacher are injured.  But Serena Williams topped it all by going psycho on Saturday night at the US Open.

I didn’t see the whole match so can’t speak to why Serena was so angry after she foot faulted, but I’m guessing the fact she wasn’t playing well and was on the verge of losing had something to do with it.  But man oh man did she ever snap, yelling at the lineswoman, “I swear to God I’m [expletive] going to take this [expletive] ball and shove it down your [expletive] throat, you hear that? I swear to God.”  It was so compelling I watched it at least 20 times, never tiring of the sound and the fury, which signified the end of the match, a $10,000 fine and talk of a possible suspension. 

1. Congratulations, Psycho Serena, you’ve broken new ground! - I grew up in the John McEnroe era, so I’ve seen my share of tennis outbursts.  But I never witnessed Super Brat, as he was known, threaten an official like Serena.  So I guess this is one case where the women’s game has done something the men’s game hasn’t.
2. Can you look over your shoulder with a cracked rib? – There’s no doubt McNabb was concerned about Michael Vick backing him up.  Now he might have to worry about backing up Vick.  A quarterback playing with a cracked rib sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.  Then again, if he doesn’t play, his worst nightmare could come true.  Pick your poison, Donovan. 
3. It’s a really bad night when your new QB’s four interceptions aren’t your biggest problem. – Jay Cutler was awful for Chicago.  But Brian Urlacher having season-ending surgery for a dislocated wrist was worse.  The heart and soul of the Bears’ defense will only prowl the sidelines for the rest of the year.  Maybe he can tell his QB which color jerseys to throw the ball.
4. How about a little less praise for one true freshman quarterback and a little more praise for his offensive line. - Yes, it was an impressive final drive for the USC against Ohio State.  But Matt Barkley completed only three passes, one of which was a dump off to a running back.  The true heroes were the offensive linemen, who gave him time to throw and then blew open monster holes for Joe McKnight and Stafon Johnson to run through.  Of course, that’s not a SEXY story.  But it was THE story.
5. But we can heap plenty of praise on another true freshman quarterback. - In case you didn’t know it, Tate Forcier of Michigan is also in his first year on campus.  All he did on the last drive was go 6-7 for 56 yards and throw the game-winning TD pass.  Oh by the way, his lone incompletion came on the play prior to the score, when he deftly avoided a sack and then hit an open receiver in the end zone, only to watch him drop the ball.  Instead of getting rattled as some youngsters might, he simply dropped back and did it again the very next play…IMPRESSIVE!
6. That’s an angry Tiger out there. – A 62 on Saturday.  An eight-stroke win on Sunday.  I’m guessing Tiger’s a little perturbed at how he gave away multiple major titles this year.  The only way he fails to win the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup is if he decides not to play!

-Jake Stevens

THERE IT IS!

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